Iranian President Mohammad Khatami has issued a new warning that Tehran will respond to any hostile military action from the United States, but he says he does not believe U.S. forces will attack his country.

Speaking in Uganda Thursday, Mr. Khatami said Tehran does not welcome tensions with Washington, and said he believes the possibility of a U.S. attack is "very low."

The two governments have been locked in a three-year stand-off over U.S. allegations that Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran flatly denies the charges.

Mr. Khatami's remarks follow a published report Sunday that said the United States is carrying out secret reconnaissance missions in Iran to identify targets for possible military strikes.

The White House rejected the New Yorker magazine report, saying it was riddled with inaccuracies and conclusions not based on fact.